CN100435897C

CN100435897C - Gaming machine

Info

Publication number: CN100435897C
Application number: CNB2004100923342A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 服部尚智
Original assignee: Aruze Corp
Current assignee: Universal Entertainment Corp
Priority date: 2003-11-10
Filing date: 2004-11-09
Publication date: 2008-11-26
Anticipated expiration: 2024-11-09
Also published as: JP2005137806A; AU2004229036A1; ZA200409066B; DE602004004229D1; US20050101366A1; EP1529559A1; CN1616133A; US7404767B2; EP1529559B1

Abstract

A gaming machine is constituted of a main body including a main display on which a game image is displayed and a sub display on which a portion of the game image is displayed in an enlarged manner, an aiming controller being configured to be movable over the main display and indicating an aiming position on the game image displayed on the main display, first display control means performing a display control of the game image on the main display, aiming position detection means detecting the aiming position on the game image indicated by the aiming controller, and second display control means performing an enlarged display control of a portion of the game image on the sub display such that the portion of the game image includes the aiming position detected by the aiming position detection means.

Description

Game machine

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of game machine, for example commercialization and home game machine etc.

Background technology

In traditional various game machines, known a kind of game machine, it passes through operation control, the demonstration multiplication factor of the specific region of the game image that shows on the display is increased, and show this magnification region (seeing Japan publication document 2001-286678 (patent documentation 1)) in the part of display.According to the game machine of describing in the patent documentation 1, the player can arbitrarily click it and want the zone observed, and can increase the demonstration multiplication factor in this zone, thereby the player can be reflected to its wish on the shown game image content, therefore, can wait in the recreation to player's impression true to nature in shooting.

In addition, also known a kind of game machine, it comprises the binoculars that combine with the display that can show game image, and make the player when observing game image, be installed in button on the binoculars etc. play (seeing openly utility model patent document 2000-58 (patent documentation 2) and Japan publication document 2000-259854 (patent documentation 3) of Japan) by operation.The recreation of the uniqueness that a kind of player of making plays when observing binoculars is provided according to patent documentation 2 and 3 disclosed game machines.

Summary of the invention

But for the game machine described in the patent documentation 1, the image in the special area that common game image and demonstration multiplication factor increase all is presented on the display.Therefore, the shortcoming of this game machine is that the display mode of game image lacks recreational and authenticity, and the mode of observing image simultaneously is very single, and therefore, game machine lacks interest.In addition, for the game machine described in the patent documentation 2,3, game image also is on the display screen that only is presented in the binoculars, therefore, the player must always see binoculars, makes the mode of observing game image become very dull, game machine is had lack interesting shortcoming.In addition, allowing the player always observe binoculars can make the player that recreation is felt fatigue and is weary of.

The invention is intended to overcome above-mentioned shortcoming, the purpose of this invention is to provide a kind of game machine, it improves player's interest by making the mode variation of observing game image.

To achieve these goals, the invention provides following structure.

(1) comprise according to a kind of game machine provided by the present invention: main body (for example main body 11), it comprises the main screen (for example main screen 12) that shows game image, and the pair screen (for example secondary screen 22) to amplify mode display part game image; Aiming controller (for example aiming controller 20) is configured to and can moves on whole main screen, and indicates the homing position on the game image that is shown on the main screen; First display control unit is used to carry out the demonstration control of the game image on the main screen; The homing position checkout gear is used for being detected by the homing position on the game image of aiming controller indication; And second display control unit, be used to carry out the amplification demonstration control of the part game image on the secondary screen, so that described part game image comprises by the detected homing position of described homing position checkout gear, wherein, described homing position checkout gear also comprises: photoelectric sensor, it is arranged in the described aiming controller, and transmits after receiving from the scanning ray of described main screen and detect pulse; And the homing position detection part, it comprises homing position testing circuit, X counter and Y counter; After the detection pulse of input from described photoelectric sensor, described homing position testing circuit obtains count value from described X counter and described Y counter, and detect the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of described homing position based on described count value, and based on the area of the viewing area of the multiplication factor of the X coordinate of detected homing position and Y coordinate, initial setting and secondary screen, the amplification that described second display control unit carries out the part game image on the secondary screen shows control, so that described part game image comprises described homing position (see figure 1).

The present invention also provides following structure.

(2) have the game machine of said structure (1), it is characterized in that described main screen (for example main screen 12) is horizontally disposed.

(3) have the game machine of said structure (1), it is characterized in that, described aiming controller (for example aiming controller 20) constitutes a magnifying glass.

(4) have the game machine of said structure (1), its feature is that also the amplification that described second display control unit is carried out the part game image on the secondary screen shows control, so that described part game image is included in the image that not have demonstration on the described main screen.

According to the present invention, can make the player observe the mode variation of game image, thereby make game machine have higher interest.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the perspective view of one example of game machine according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the longitudinal sectional view of the aiming controller of game machine shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is the block diagram of the internal structure of game machine shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 4 A-4C is the schematic diagram of homing position detection part, and wherein, Fig. 4 A is the structure chart of homing position detection part, and Fig. 4 B and 4C are the schematic diagrames of homing position testing process;

Fig. 5 is the flow chart that homing position detects step in the homing position testing circuit;

Fig. 6 is the flow chart by the control procedure program of control circuit execution;

Fig. 7 is the view of explanation according to the process of the demonstration control on the pair screen;

Fig. 8 A-8D is the schematic diagram of game image, and wherein, Fig. 8 A is an example of the game image that shows on main screen, and Fig. 8 B-8D is an example of the game image that shows on the pair screen.

The specific embodiment

Describe the specific embodiment of the present invention in detail below in conjunction with accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is the perspective view of one example of game machine according to the present invention.

The main screen 12 that is formed by cathode ray tube (CRT) is installed in the centre of main body 11 upper surfaces of game machine 10, is horizontal.The game image that is showing corresponding game process etc. on the main screen 12.

In addition, in upright mode one secondary screen 22 is installed in the rear end of main screen 12.Showing the part of the game image that shows in the amplification mode on pair screen 22, this part includes the homing position by aiming controller 20 indications, and aiming controller 20 will be described later.And on the top of pair screen 22, the left and right loudspeaker 17 of respectively installing is sent by loudspeaker 17 corresponding to the background sound of game process, sound, audio etc.

From main body 11 outgoing cables 21, cable 21 is connected on the aiming controller 20 that shape is similar to magnifying glass.It is in order to point out homing position on the game image that shows on the main screen 12 that aiming controller 20 is set.Aiming controller 20 is arranged to allow the player arrest aiming controller, and moves on whole main screen 12.

In addition, in the front of main screen 12 control button 15 is set.The player plays by pressing control button 15.In addition, on the front surface of main body 11, be formed with game money patchhole 16, game money inserted game money patchhole 16 start recreation.Be provided with game money detector 18 in the inside of game money patchhole 16, it can detect the game money that inserts in the game money patchhole 16.

In the present invention, although the direction of main screen 12 is not specifically limited, as shown in Figure 1, it is preferably horizontal direction.This is because like this, and aiming controller 20 can move on whole main screen 12 easily, thereby makes the player time of playing games also be not easy to feel tired when longer.

In addition, although the shape of aiming controller 20 is not specifically limited, as shown in Figure 1, it preferably has the shape of similar magnifying glass.This is that the picture of feeling all right makes the part at the game image that shows on the main screen 12 be presented in the amplification mode on the secondary screen 22 with magnifying glass because this shape makes the player, thereby makes the demonstration of game image true to nature lively.In addition, about the shape of aiming controller 20, for example, it can be similar to binoculars, telescope and microscope etc.

In addition, do not limit the particular location of control button 15 (game process control assembly) in the present invention.But for game machine 10 as shown in Figure 1, button 15 (game process control assembly) can be preferably mounted on the main body 11.This is because when playing hand operated aiming controller of family expenses 20, can continue recreation with the control button 15 that the another hand operated is installed on the main body 11, thereby the player can successfully be played observing main screen 12 or secondary the screen in 22 o'clock.

, in the present invention, wish that game machine 10 has multiplication factor and sets control assembly herein, it can carry out the setting of desirable multiplication factor to the game image that is presented in the amplification mode on the secondary screen 22.Set control assembly by multiplication factor is set, the mode of multiple observation game image can be arranged.In this case, wish that multiplication factor setting control assembly is installed on the aiming controller.This is because can improve like this operability of recreation, makes the player when the direction of a hand change aiming controller and position, can also operate the multiplication factor setting control assembly that is installed on the aiming controller.

Fig. 2 is the longitudinal sectional view of the aiming controller 20 of game machine 10 shown in Figure 1.In Fig. 2, the arrow that dotted line is represented is represented the scanning ray from main screen 12.

Aiming controller 20 comprises annular framework 27, the handle 28 that is connected with framework 27, and be fixed on upper plate 26 and lower plate 29 on the framework 27, thus be rendered as the shape of similar magnifying glass.Photoelectric sensor 23 is installed between upper plate 26 and lower plate 29, is fixed a lens 29a at the position of lower plate 29 corresponding photoelectric sensors 23.

Photoelectric sensor 23 is arranged to make photoelectric sensor 23 can scioptics 29a to receive the scanning ray that the raster scanning (not shown) owing to main screen 12 produces, and can be based on the scanning ray transmission pulse signal that is received.The cable 21 that links to each other with handle 28 is connected with main body 11, and, be transferred to main body 11 from the pulse signal of photoelectric sensor 23 by cable 21.

Fig. 3 is the block diagram of the internal structure of game machine shown in Figure 1.

Inside in the main body 11 of game machine 10 is provided with control circuit 30.Control circuit 30 comprises CPU (CPU) 31, memory 32, sound circuit 33 and graphics display circuit 24 and 34.In memory 32, can store the program relevant, various data and for example comprise the various view data that are presented on main screen 12 and the secondary screen 22 etc. with game control.Sound circuit 33 links to each other with loudspeaker 17 by the sound intensifier (not shown).Graphics display circuit 34 can make main screen 12 show game image based on the order (demonstration control command) of CPU31.And graphics display circuit 24 makes 22 orders based on CPU31 of secondary screen show game image in the amplification mode.

When the player pressed control button 15 downwards, the control button 15 that is contained on the main body 11 linked to each other with the CPU31 of control circuit 30, and control signal is passed to CPU31.In addition, when game money detector 18 detected the predetermined games coin, game money detector 18 linked to each other with CPU31, and detection signal is passed to CPU31.

Receive scanning ray (in shown in the dotted line) from main screen 12 after, be contained in photoelectric sensors 23 in the aiming controller 20 and will detect pulse and send homing position detection part 25 to by figure.

Homing position detection part 25 receives from photoelectric sensor 23 and detects pulse, from control circuit 30 receive clock pulses (CLK), receive horizontal-drive signal (HSYNC) and vertical synchronizing signals (VSYNC) from main screen 12, and based on the homing position of these pulses and signal detection aiming controller 20.Horizontal-drive signal (HSYNC) and vertical synchronizing signal (VSYNC) can be directly receive from reception such as graphics display circuit 34 or the HV separator in may being contained in homing position detection part 25, and these signals can extract from the video output of graphics display circuit 34.The back will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings homing position detection part 25.

Fig. 4 A is the structural representation of homing position detection part 25.Fig. 4 B and Fig. 4 C are homing position testing process schematic diagram.

Homing position detection part 25 comprises homing position testing circuit 25a, X counter 25b and Y counter 25c.X counter 25b is used to detect the X coordinate of homing position, and Y counter 25c is used to detect the Y coordinate of homing position.X counter 25b and Y counter 25c are respectively equipped with reset end R and clock end C.

Detection pulse from photoelectric sensor 23 is imported into homing position testing circuit 25a.Be imported into the clock end of X counter 25b from the clock pulses (CLK) of control circuit 30.Horizontal-drive signal (HSYNC) from main screen 12 is imported into the replacement end R of X counter 25b and the clock end C of Y counter 25c.Be imported into the replacement end R of Y counter 25c from the vertical synchronizing signal (VSYNC) of main screen 12.

Therefore, clock pulses (CLK) whenever is transfused to once, and X counter 25b just increases a counting, and at horizontal-drive signal (HSYNC) counter reset when being transfused to.In addition, horizontal-drive signal (HSYNC) whenever is transfused to once, and Y counter 25c just increases a counting, and at vertical synchronizing signal (VSYNC) counter reset when being transfused to.

Fig. 4 B shows horizontal-drive signal (HSYNC) and the relation between the vertical synchronizing signal (VSYNC) that is input among the Y counter 25c and is input to horizontal-drive signal (HSYNC) among the X counter 25b and the relation between the clock pulses (CLK).In the drawings, 1F represents to show the cycle of a screen, and 1H represents a horizontal scanning period, and 1CLK represents clock same period.

Because this structure, Y counter 25c is reset at the point (I) shown in Fig. 4 C, that is, and and at the initial point place in the cycle that shows a screen.Y counter 25c increases once the every 1H of counter so, and on the other hand, X counter 25b is reset to (IV) some place at (II) shown in Fig. 4 C, that is, and and at the initial point place of a horizontal scanning period 1H.X counter 25b increases once each clock pulses 1CLK of counter so.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart, shows the homing position testing process of carrying out in homing position testing circuit 25a.

At first determine whether be imported into homing position testing circuit 25a (step 10) from the detection pulse of photoelectric sensor 23, when the homing position place of raster scanning aiming controller 20 (not shown)s on main screen 12 of main screen 12 carries out, scanning ray is detected by photoelectric sensor 23, and the detection pulse is sent to homing position testing circuit 25a.Homing position testing circuit 25a determines whether to receive the detection pulse.

When the detection pulse was imported into homing position testing circuit 25a, homing position testing circuit 25a obtained count value from X counter 25b and Y counter 25c, and detected the X coordinate and the Y coordinate (step S11) of homing positions based on these count values.Afterwards, homing position testing circuit 25a sends the homing position signal to control circuit 30 (step S12).

On the other hand, when definite pulse signal from photoelectric sensor 23 is not imported into homing position testing circuit 25a, this means that aiming controller 20 does not indicate the homing position on the game image of main screen 12, that is, aiming controller is not directed on the main screen 12.Therefore, homing position testing circuit 25a is sent to control circuit 30 (step S13) with rub-out signal.After the process among execution of step S12 or the S13, process turns back to step S10, and said process repeats.As a result, homing position signal or rub-out signal are sent to control circuit 30 off and on.At this, photoelectric sensor 23 and the homing position detection part 25 usefulness homing position checkout gear that homing position on the game image that is indicated by aiming controller 20 detects of opposing.

Main screen among the present invention is not specially limited in this, can be formed by CRT or LCD.In addition, the display mode of main screen also is not specially limited, and it can be for example interlace mode or step-by-step system.In addition, the brightness of main screen does not limit especially yet, as long as can be received just passable really by photoelectric sensor from the scanning ray of main screen.

In addition, in the present invention, the method that detects the homing position of aiming controller is not limited to above-mentioned example especially yet.For example, can be provided with the direction of measurement aiming controller and/or the sensor of position, homing position can detect based on the measurement result of sensor acquisition thus.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart, shows the program of the game control process of being carried out by control circuit 30.Hereinafter, will describe with regard to the recreation in the process.

At first, CPU31 carries out game process arithmetic processing process (step S21), and in this process, carrying out the arithmetic processing process relevant with game process will be as the scene or the character of game image demonstration as the variation and the decision of the various parameters relevant with recreation.

Next, CPU31 determines whether control button 15 is operated (step S22), that is, CPU31 determines whether to detect the operation signal from control button 15.

When CPU31 determines that control button 15 has been operated, CPU31 controls arithmetic processing process (step S23), in this process, corresponding with content of operation, carrying out the arithmetic process relevant with game process will be as the scene or the character of game image demonstration as the variation and the decision of each parameter relevant with recreation.

When CPU31 determines that control button 15 is not operated in step S22, or after the process of CPU31 execution of step S23, CPU31 determines that game image is displayed on the process (step S24) on the main screen 12.This step is based on that the result of process among above-mentioned steps S21 or the step S23 carries out.

Then, the CPU31 transmission command gives graphics display circuit 34 to show game image (step S27) on main screen 12, and when receiving mentioned order, graphics display circuit 34 produces the game image of corresponding order, and makes main screen 12 show this game image.

Herein, graphics display circuit 34 is as carry out first display control unit that game image shows control on main screen 12.

What then, CPU determined its reception is from the homing position signal of homing position detection part 25 and which signal (step S28) in the rub-out signal.When the subprogram shown in the execution graph 5 in homing position testing circuit 25a, these homing position signals and rub-out signal are passed to control circuit 30.

When CPU31 determine from homing position detection part 25 receive be the homing position signal time, CPU31 will " be shown enlarged in the part game image on the secondary screen 22 " this order and be sent to graphics display circuit 24 (step S29).At this, this process will illustrate in conjunction with Fig. 7.

Fig. 7 is used to explain and the relevant process of demonstration control that is applied to secondary screen 22.At this, the multiplication factor initial setting is one times, and the area of the viewing area of secondary screen 22 is set at X ₂* Y ₂

The coordinate of homing position S in main screen 12 is that (x, in the time of y), the coordinate that is presented at the reference point (a bit of upper left quarter) of the game image on the secondary screen 22 is (x-X ₂/ 2a, y-Y ₂/ therefore 2a), be included in from reference point and have area (X ₂/ a) * (Y ₂Game image in/a) the zone (rectangular area of being represented by dotted line among the figure) has constituted the game image that is presented in the secondary screen 22.Among the step S29 in subprogram shown in Figure 6, CPU31 will " amplify a to the game image in the rectangular area that is illustrated by the broken lines doubly, and show this enlarged image by pair screen 22 " this order and send graphics display circuit 24 to.The graphics display circuit 24 of receiving mentioned order produces and orders the corresponding game image, and shows this game image on pair screen 22.As a result, in pair screen 22, comprise that a part of game image of homing position shows with predetermined multiplication factor amplification.At this, second display control unit that graphics display circuit 24 shows as the amplification of carrying out the part game image on the secondary screen 22.

On the other hand, when CPU31 does not receive the homing position signal in step S28, what CPU31 determined to receive from homing position detection part 25 is rub-out signal, and therefore, CPU31 sends order to graphics display circuit 24, allows secondary screen 22 to demonstrate aiming controller 20 like this and is not directed into error image (step S30) on the main screen 12.

After the process of execution in step S29 or step S30, CPU31 determines whether that recreation finishes (step S31), and when detecting recreation when not finishing, process turns back to step S21, and said process repeats.On the other hand, when CPU31 determined that recreation has finished, this subprogram was finished.

Next an example of the recreation that the combining game picture specification is carried out with the game machine of present embodiment.

Fig. 8 A is an example of the game image of demonstration on main screen 12, and Fig. 8 B-8D is an example of the game image of demonstration on pair screen 22.Herein, the purpose of recreation is the thief (tonchans) who obtains predetermined number, and the thief will go around whole country in finite time.

In the game image shown in Fig. 8 A, the image that demonstrates expression recreation purpose " is caught 10 thieves " in one minute, simultaneously, demonstrate the birds-eye view of a country in wartime.In the game image that on main screen 12, shows, do not demonstrate the thief.Therefore, the player will be with finding out the thief the game image of aiming controller 20 on being shown enlarged in secondary screen 22.

Game image shown in Fig. 8 B is the game image that is presented on the secondary screen 22, and a part that wherein is presented at the game image (seeing Fig. 8 A) on the main screen 12 shows by predetermined multiplication factor amplification.But, still do not demonstrate the thief in the inside of game image.Therefore, the player must be by the direction finding thief of mobile aiming controller 20 or change aiming controller.

Therefore, when the player successfully catches the thief, shown in Fig. 8 C, demonstrate the image that the thief runs out from castle.When the player pushes control button 15 under demonstration thief's state, shown in Fig. 8 D, demonstrate " success! " image, and show the pattern that the thief is caught simultaneously.Like this, the player has just successfully caught a thief.

According to the present invention, as from understandable the foregoing description, (seeing Fig. 8 A) image not to be covered (character picture that shows the thief) is included under the situation of the image that carries out on the secondary screen 22 in showing in the shown game image on main screen 12, wishes that this part game image is shown enlarged on the secondary screen 22 (seeing Fig. 8 C and Fig. 8 D).This be because, can make the multiple mode of observing game image and game content closely related to one another by this set, can further strengthen player's interest.

According to game machine 10, common game image is presented on the main screen 12, and comprises that the part game image of the homing position that is indicated by aiming controller 20 is shown enlarged on the secondary screen 22.Therefore, according to the explanation of doing in conjunction with example shown in Figure 8, the player can observe main screen 12 (seeing Fig. 8 A) and handle aiming controller 20 according to the state that current recreation is carried out when playing, so that the player is thought that especially the arbitrary portion of observed game image is shown enlarged on the secondary screen 22 (seeing Fig. 8 B and Fig. 8 C), thereby the mode that the player observes game image can be diversified.As a result, just can provide the game machine that can evoke player's great interest.

In addition, in the games system that can apply the present invention to constitute, TV receiver group and secondary screen as main screen are installed on this main body wherein by main body and aiming controller.In this case, main body is as first display control unit and second display control unit, and main body and aiming controller are as the homing position checkout gear.

According to the present invention with said structure, common game image is presented on the main screen, and a part of game image that includes the homing position that is indicated by aiming controller in this common game image is shown enlarged on the secondary screen.Therefore, for example, the player can observe main screen when playing, and according to the state that carries out of recreation, the player can handle aiming controller, demonstrates a part of game image that the player thinks any observation to amplify on the pair screen.As a result, can provide absorbing game machine.

According to the present invention with said structure, main screen is assumed to be horizontal positioned, therefore, can be on whole main screen mobile easily aiming controller, thereby the player is not easy fatigue, can play for a long time.

According to the present invention with said structure, can give a kind of sensation of player, just as a part of using magnifying glass will be presented at the game image on the main screen is presented on the secondary screen in the amplification mode, thereby can show vivid game image.

According to the present invention with said structure, be not presented on the main screen and image that the player does not observe for what occur, have only the aiming controller of use could this image be presented on secondary the screen.Therefore, for example, recreation is carried out based on the game image that is presented on the main screen usually, when special circumstances take place, uses aiming controller to play based on the image that is presented on the secondary screen with regard to being necessary.Therefore, just there is multiple mode to observe game image closely related to one another and game content.As a result, just increased the interest of Play Station games.

Claims

1. game machine comprises:

Main body, it comprises the main screen that shows game image, and to amplify the pair screen of mode display part game image;

Aiming controller is configured to and can moves on whole main screen, and indicates the homing position on the game image that is shown on the main screen;

First display control unit is used to carry out the demonstration control of the game image on the main screen;

The homing position checkout gear is used for being detected by the homing position on the game image of aiming controller indication; And

Second display control unit is used to carry out the amplification demonstration control of the part game image on the secondary screen, so that described part game image comprises by the detected homing position of described homing position checkout gear, wherein

Described homing position checkout gear also comprises:

Photoelectric sensor, it is arranged in the described aiming controller, and transmits after receiving from the scanning ray of described main screen and detect pulse; And

The homing position detection part, it comprises homing position testing circuit, X counter and Y counter;

After the detection pulse of input from described photoelectric sensor, described homing position testing circuit obtains count value from described X counter and described Y counter, and detects the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of described homing position based on described count value, and

X coordinate and Y coordinate, the multiplication factor of initial setting and the area of secondary viewing area of shielding based on detected homing position, the amplification that described second display control unit carries out the part game image on the secondary screen shows control, so that described part game image comprises described homing position.

2. game machine according to claim 1 is characterized in that described main screen is horizontally disposed.

3. game machine according to claim 1 and 2 is characterized in that described aiming controller constitutes a magnifying glass.

4. game machine according to claim 1 and 2 is characterized in that, the amplification of the part game image on the secondary screen of described second display control unit execution shows control, so that described part game image is included in the image that does not have demonstration on the described main screen.